On Safety

January 25, 1987

''I think there is a lot more attention being paid to safety now than ever before,'' said veteran astronaut Bryan O'Connor, who has monitored the overhaul for the astronaut corps. ''When we fly again, I think we'll be flying a much safer vehicle.'' - Sally Ride, Astronaut

'The stage should be set for complete and adequate testing to prove the booster is sound. My understanding is that has not been done.' - Robert Rummel, Aerospace consultant

ON BOOSTER DESIGN

'I get the sense they're pursuing . . . the quickest and cheapest fix that will get them flying again, not the soundest fix or the one that will keep them flying continuously.' - David Acheson, Attorney

ON CRITICALITY

'Everything in the shuttle was working on the edge, partially failing. The whole damn thing was in dangerous shape. What happened to be the thing that failed was a matter of chance . . . ' - Richard Feynman, California Institute of Technology

ON QUALITY

. . . All of us were too optimistic, too willing to accept the fact this shuttle was operational. And I think we've all learned a lesson.' - William Rogers, Commission chairman